Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week: Chevrolet adds the ZR2 package to the Silverado HD, Aston Martin debuts their ultimate DBS Volante, Toyota is playing with our emotions again, Lincoln promises a new Nautilus for next Monday, I forget the Lincoln Nautilus was even a thing, and your news for the week.

Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2

As if there wasn’t already an abundance of pickups with off road packages to choose from, we now have the Silverado HD ZR2. It’s the first time a ZR2 has been made out of a heavy duty Silverado and it promises to bring the best of both into one package. It’s even available in two flavors as the ZR2 and the ZR2 Bison for those who want to go a step further into the wilderness.

Delivering “off-road performance our customers have come to expect from a ZR2, with the towing and payload capabilities our HD customers demand”, the HD ZR2 is offered exclusively as a 2500 Crew Cab with a 6.6L gas V8 or 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. The upgrades provided by the ZR2 package consist of Multimatic DSSV Dampers, upgraded front upper and lower control arms, upgraded steering knuckles, larger steel transfer case skid plate and front aluminum skid plate, rear e-locker, a 1.5″ lift front and rear, and 35″ Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires on 18×9″ aluminum wheels. It also adds a ZR2-specific front grille, unique wheel opening moldings with integrated mud guards, and the mandatory ZR2 badging.

Opt for the ZR2 Bison and you end up with mostly the same truck but with additional gear for your adventures provided by American Expedition Vehicles. The Bison adds gloss black 18″ AEV wheels, a custom high-approach, stamped-steel front bumper with integrated recovery points and winch provisions, stamped-steel cut rear bumper with recovery points, and stamped steel underbody skid plates for the engine compartment, steering rack, exhaust, and transfer case.

So we know it’ll be decent at just about any terrain thrown its way – how about truck stuff? Payload is rated at 3,397 lbs for the ZR2 gas, 3,193 lbs for the ZR2 diesel, 3,013 lbs for the ZR2 Bison gas, and 2,811 lbs for the ZR2 Bison diesel. Comparing to normal Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cabs with 4WD, that’s a hit of at least 400 lbs or more depending on the spec. Max trailering (conventional) is 16,000 lbs for the gas ZR2 and ZR2 Bison while both diesel variants can handle 18,500 lbs. Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck towing is 18,070 lbs for the ZR2 gas, 18,100 lbs for the ZR2 diesel, 16,900 lbs for the ZR2 Bison gas, and 15,570 lbs for the ZR2 Bison diesel.

Pricing is not available yet. They’ll probably start somewhere between $70,000 and your first born.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante

A few months ago Aston Martin revealed the last of the DBS as a stunning, 759-horsepower, V12-powered super luxury coupe. Well now we have the last of the last of the DBS as a stunning, 759-horsepower, V12-powered super luxury convertible.

The specs are all basically the same as what was said when the Coupe debuted, as is the performance and the visual enhancements. It was mentioned from the get go that 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes would be produced as one final ultimate DBS, all of which are sold out already. It’s fast. It’s gorgeous. And it’s probably the best-looking car Aston Martin makes right now. I just don’t have much else to say about an absurdly expensive car that will rarely be seen in public once the media drives are done.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Toyota is teasing a Tacoma again because they hate us

Just a week after Toyota had the gall to get us all hyped for what any reasonable person would expect to be the debut of the all-new Tacoma only for it to end up being an announcement for an announcement, they’re back with another teaser. This time it’s to hint at a new overlanding-ready trim level called the Trailhunter.

What it shows is some rather attractive bronze/tan paint, black plastic body cladding, and a neat detail in the headlight with an illuminated “Trailhunter”. The shot of the rear shows an even bigger story – an ARB steel bumper with recovery points. If Toyota is collaborating with a well-known off-road accessory outfit that’s apparently huge in Australia, then it’s highly likely the Trailhunter has far more than just a steel rear bumper.

We’ll be sure to bring you more when Toyota finally shows off the all-new Tacoma sometime in the next century.

[Source: Toyota]

New Lincoln Nautilus debuts next Monday

Lincoln, unlike Toyota, has dropped a teaser with a date that actually coincides with when we’ll see what’s being teased about. And it’s about a model I wouldn’t have expected either. The Nautilus, which is a Ford Edge that lives in a gated community, is apparently getting a whole new generation and, according to the teaser, a lot of screens. It’ll be “unlike anything we’ve designed before”.

The Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus were thought to have their days numbered as both platforms were sort of just forgotten. I, for one, thought the Nautilus was a brand new model coming out when I first read this announcement. It’s possible they both get a new lease on life and tie into the new Ford Edge that just debuted in China a little while ago, or the Nautilus is something different entirely and they just liked the name. All will be revealed next week because we’re dealing with Ford, not Toyota.

[Source: Lincoln]

Acura Integra Type S

This was going to be the leading story but it was a big enough story to warrant its own coverage. The ultimate Integra returns and it’s glorious, as William covers here. Check that out if you haven’t.

What’s your news for the week?

So that’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.

Have a good weekend.